E-nterview@Rui.Pinto.Gonçalves

Rui Pinto Gonçalves, founder of RRJ Arquitectura e Engenharia, regales us with an intense 18-year quest for the best service to cities, their inhabitants and all that surrounds them.

With the utmost good sense, he appreciates what is beautiful and draws inspiration from it for his work - as can be seen also in his passionate photography.

Whenever possible, he uses new materials for both construction and for finishing touches and details, thus giving each space his special, sophisticated touch.

We went to speak to him to glean a deeper understanding of how he views cities on which he has left his mark and Lisbon in particular.

There is much talk of “Renewing the Historic Areas of Cities”.  How do you think one should set about this process?  Where should one begin?

To give you the quick answer, there are 2 essential aspects to bear in mind: things relating merely to aesthetic and heritage aspects, and those relating to functionality and activities.

Everything that has to do with building work and licensing is extremely painstaking for inhabitants and promoters.  We need to create less rigid policies with regard to alterations of interiors and stricter ones regarding exteriors.

For example, it is completely absurd to continue to permit the use of aluminium frames.  There should be greater care taken over the image one is trying to recover or preserve.  One of the “causes of death” of the historical quarters in that it may be impossible to alter the buildings so as to provide the necessary comfort demanded nowadays.  

It is difficult to invest in historic quarters when each square metre is more expensive and one is not permitted to make it profitable by making quality living spaces.  Take, for instance, the case of the Baixa, where the Town Hall itself suspended two of the articles of the PDM (Plano Director Municipal - Town Planning Directive) to make it possible, in some buildings, for there to be profound interior changes to make the buildings attractive to new, demanding clientele.

An area can live if it is inhabited and in order for that to happen, we need to create policies that are inviting and make people want to live there.  

There should be support given to cultural activities, such as small fairs and cultural street activities, etc. in order to draw new, quality clientele to these neighbourhoods and we should not let the less desirable nightlife clientele take over these spaces.  Safety is another aspect to take into account, if these areas are to be attractive.

We know that you have undertaken countless projects in charismatic areas of Lisbon. How do you approach those buildings?

With the utmost respect for what is already there and by taking a discerning look at the way we live today.  In other words, by trying to make a perfect marriage between the old and the modern.

Your offices are a in a commotion.  Can you explain why?

It’s because of the level of professionalism we invest in each project.  It is as if each one were the only one we had.  We also create the means necessary for each employee to be highly motivated to do his/her job.  I like what I do very much and I do it with great affection.  From the age of three Lego was my favourite toy.

Tell us a secret.  What is your relationship with the art of photography?

I see photography as the art of registering a fact or a story, rather like writing or drawing, nothing more.  I am lucky with what comes out.